Do Not Stint On Survival Kits

Being prepared for emergencies generally means that they will not be as catastrophic as they might be otherwise. While some may scoff at taking the time and effort to prepare ahead of time for unpleasant situations, the tale of “The Grasshopper and the Ant” should serve as a warning to all of us. Having adequate survival supplies on hand will be especially important if you live in an area that is more prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or terrorism. Being properly prepared can make a huge difference in how you and your family come through any emergency or disaster.

Food And Water

These are two things that you will need most immediately. However, if there are major disruptions, will you be able to eat and drink? Everyone has seen pictures of people who are in a flood; there is plenty of water around, but who would risk drinking it. Providing clean water is your first priority. A supply of bottled water is indispensable, or you must have some way to filter the available water.

Probably the easiest way to provide for a reliable source of food is to purchase a premade food kit. These kits will provide food for nearly any period of time you wish, from a few days to several years. Commercially prepared food kits generally have a very long shelf life, if stored properly, and can keep your family fed until the situation returns to normal.

Shelter And Warmth

Disasters seldom occur when the temperature is an even 75 degrees, and in most cases you will have to make sure you avoid hypothermia. Emergency blankets and sleeping bags can provide comfort and warmth when the usual source of heat is unavailable. If you are worried about a long term outage, you might invest in a kerosene or propane heater.
These small heaters do a good job of providing emergency heating. Remember to have enough fuel on hand to keep them running for several days at least, and always leave a window cracked slightly to prevent oxygen depletion.

First Aid And Sanitation

It is almost inevitable that during an emergency, someone will be injured in some way. Usually, the injuries are slight, and can be treated with ease as long as you have a first aid kit. These useful kits will contain everything you need to deal with cuts, splinters, minor pain, and bruises. You might add a few items of your own, such as products that will stop bleeding or treat burns.

Family sanitation may seem an indelicate subject, but to ignore this is simply to invite trouble. As water may be in short supply, having several containers of pre-moistened wipes on hand is a good idea. This will allow the family to ‘wash up’ without using precious drinking water. If your water system is not functioning you will have to provide a substitute toilet. Many kits will include a bucket that will serve as your toilet. The waste should be disposed of sensibly, in a pit away from water and food, and should be covered right away to keep animals out.